Kuwait International English School vs Kuwait National English School
Kuwait International English School and Kuwait National English School are both in Kuwait City, about 1 km apart. Both schools offer British, Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels programmes, and Kuwait National English School also offers EYFS and SEN. Published annual fees are KWD 1,389 - 2,909 at Kuwait International English School and KWD 1,494 - 4,862 at Kuwait National English School, which puts Kuwait National English School roughly 48% higher. Kuwait International English School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Kuwait National English School from 1.5 to 18. Kuwait National English School is the larger school, with around 1,250 pupils to Kuwait International English School's 600.
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, SEN focussed
Pupils
Pupils
600
Pupils
1,250
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
1991
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Block 10, Al Hassan Al Bassry Street, Hawally, Kuwait. Kuwait International English School is a private day school serving international and local students from pre-school through to university entrance preparation. The school provides a two-way bus service through a contracted transport company. Contact: +965 22219228.
Location
Located in Hawally on Mousa Bin Nussair Street, Block 2, Hawally 32057. Postal address: PO Box 44273 Hawally, 32057. Phone: +965 2265 6904/5/6; Reception WhatsApp: +965 94048815.
Stages
Stages
Early Years (KG and Reception); Primary Years (Years 1–6); Secondary Years (Years 7–13).
Stages
Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Special Needs. Age range 2 to 18.
School type
School type
Private day school; part of Al Rayan Schools.
School type
The school is a British International School.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
40+ nationalities represented.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
Psychological and Assessment Unit; Social Work Unit; Speech Unit; Physiotherapy Unit; Occupational Therapy Unit; and on-site Nursing.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Affiliation with the United Kingdom through the British National Curriculum.
Country affiliation
British; follows the National Curriculum for England.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
The school day starts at 7:00 am. KG and Reception finish at 12:00 pm; Primary and Secondary finish at 2:00 pm. Students should arrive no earlier than 6:45 am.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
Buses are available to most districts; a two-way bus service is provided via the school's contracted transport company.
Bus service details
Bus transportation is arranged via Emushrif; details are available on the Transportation page.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & registration fees - Application / entrance test fee: KD 25 (non-refundable). - Registration advance: KD 100 payable at registration; this amount is adjusted against the first tuition instalment after registration is completed.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and term instalments) - KG (Kindergarten) - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 1,389. - Instalments: 1st term KD 463 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 463 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 463 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 1 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,299. - Instalments: 1st term KD 767 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 767 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 765 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 2 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,369. - Instalments: 1st term KD 790 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 790 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 789 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 3 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,569. - Instalments: 1st term KD 857 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 857 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 855 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 4 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,569. - Instalments: 1st term KD 857 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 857 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 855 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 5 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,569. - Instalments: 1st term KD 857 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 857 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 855 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 6 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,619. - Instalments: 1st term KD 873 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 873 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 873 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 7 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,689. - Instalments: 1st term KD 897 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 897 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 895 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 8 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,749. - Instalments: 1st term KD 917 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 917 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 915 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 9 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,879. - Instalments: 1st term KD 960 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 960 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 959 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 10 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,879. - Instalments: 1st term KD 960 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 960 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 959 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 11 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,879. - Instalments: 1st term KD 960 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 960 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 959 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 12 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,909. - Instalments: 1st term KD 970 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 970 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 969 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 13 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,909. - Instalments: 1st term KD 970 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 970 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 969 (due 1 Apr).
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is payable in full prior to the commencement of the academic year, or parents may pay in three instalments as scheduled (1st instalment due early September, 2nd instalment due early December, 3rd instalment due early April). - The annual tuition does not include Books, Uniform or Transport fees; these are billed separately. - An early-bird voucher of KD 75 and a sibling discount (7% applied to the child with the lowest tuition) are available under the school's enrolment/registration offers; sibling discount conditions require timely payment.
Boarding fees - The school operates as a private day school; there are no boarding facilities and no boarding fees.
Transport (school bus) fees and schedule - Transport is charged separately and is payable termly. Sample charges (round-trip and one-way) are set by area and split into three instalments; examples published for parents include: - Round-trip Area 1 (Hawally): KD 330 (instalments KD 130, KD 130, KD 70). - Round-trip Area 2 (Maidan, Hawally, Salmiya, Jabriya, Surra, Shaab): KD 350 (instalments KD 140, KD 140, KD 70). - Round-trip Area 3 (other areas): KD 370 (instalments KD 150, KD 150, KD 70). - One-way Area 1: KD 265 (instalments KD 105, KD 105, KD 55); Area 2 one-way KD 275; Area 3 one-way KD 285 (instalment splits as above). - Transport fees must be paid by the first day of pupil travel on school transport; the full termly fee is required regardless of joining date within the term.
Other costs / additional fees - Books and school inventory are charged separately and are not included in tuition. A school inventory voucher (early-bird voucher) may be applied to books and uniform or to the third term. - Uniform is sold at the school uniform shop during school opening hours; uniform items and PE kit are charged separately (prices vary by item). - IGCSE / examination and subject-specific fees: accelerated IGCSE subjects are charged (example: KD 150 per subject for the One-Year Accelerated IGCSE programme); formal examination entry fees are charged separately and vary by subject. - Late collection charge: KD 5 per hour (or part thereof) for supervised care after designated collection time; an optional supervised ‘Late Club' is available at KD 15 per week per child.
Refunds and withdrawal charges - Application/entrance fee (KD 25) is non-refundable. The application fee is adjusted against the first instalment if the student is enrolled. Registration advance (KD 100) is adjusted against the first instalment. - Withdrawal and tuition liability: - If withdrawal occurs during the first week of the first term: parents pay KD 100 and no further tuition for that term is charged. - If withdrawal occurs after the first week of the first term: the parent must pay the full first-term tuition. - If a student leaves at any time during the second term: parents must pay inclusively the full first- and second-term fees. - If a student leaves at any time during the third term: parents must pay fees for the complete year (all three terms).
Fee payment options - Online payment portal (Parents Online) is provided for parents to pay fees electronically. - Cash / payments at the school cashier are used for application, registration and other in-person transactions.
Notes - Fees listed above are stated in Kuwaiti Dinars (KD).
Fee details
Application / registration fees
- Re-registration / seat deposit: KWD 200 payable by January 15 to reserve a place for the next academic year; this deposit is applied against the pupil's tuition. - The registration fee is treated as part of the total school fees and is non‑refundable; students will not be registered for the new academic year until the registration requirement is paid.
Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts in KWD)
- Kindergarten 1 (KG1 / age 3): KWD 1,494. - EYFS payment pattern: two installments (dates shown below). - Reception (age 4): KWD 2,289. - EYFS payment pattern: two installments (dates shown below). - Years 1–2: KWD 2,446. - Standard payment split for Years 1 and above: deposit + 60% / 40% installments (see billing schedule). Example per-invoice instalments shown below. - Years 3–5: KWD 2,765. - Years 6–11: KWD 2,926. - Year 12 (Sixth Form year 1): KWD 4,630. - Year 13 (Sixth Form year 2 / A‑Level): KWD 4,862.
Per-installment examples (how each annual fee is collected for Years 1 and above)
Payment structure for Years 1 and above: a seat deposit (KWD 200) is paid in the re‑registration window; the first installment due on August 31 equals 60% of the annual tuition less the KWD 200 deposit already paid; the second installment due on December 31 is the remaining 40% of the annual tuition. (All figures in KWD.)
- Years 1–2 (annual KWD 2,446): - First installment (Aug 31): KWD 1,267.60 (60% of 2,446 = KWD 1,467.60; less KWD 200 deposit = KWD 1,267.60). - Second installment (Dec 31): KWD 978.40 (remaining 40%). - Years 3–5 (annual KWD 2,765): - First installment (Aug 31): KWD 1,459.00 (60% = KWD 1,659.00; less KWD 200 deposit). - Second installment (Dec 31): KWD 1,106.00 (remaining 40%). - Years 6–11 (annual KWD 2,926): - First installment (Aug 31): KWD 1,555.60 (60% = KWD 1,755.60; less KWD 200 deposit). - Second installment (Dec 31): KWD 1,170.40 (remaining 40%). - Year 12 (annual KWD 4,630): - First installment (Aug 31): KWD 2,578.00 (60% = KWD 2,778.00; less KWD 200 deposit). - Second installment (Dec 31): KWD 1,852.00 (remaining 40%). - Year 13 (annual KWD 4,862): - First installment (Aug 31): KWD 2,717.20 (60% = KWD 2,917.20; less KWD 200 deposit). - Second installment (Dec 31): KWD 1,944.80 (remaining 40%).
Early Years (KG & Reception) – per-term detail
- Early Years (KG1 and Reception) tuition is payable in two installments: first payment due 1 September and second payment due 1 December. Example equal-split examples (school issues the official invoice/schedule at registration): - KG1 (annual KWD 1,494): two installments of KWD 747.00 and KWD 747.00 (due 1 Sep and 1 Dec). - Reception (annual KWD 2,289): two installments of KWD 1,144.50 and KWD 1,144.50 (due 1 Sep and 1 Dec).
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Re-registration / seat reservation: deposit KWD 200 due by January 15 (applied against tuition). - For Years 1 and above: first installment due August 31 (first-installment amount = 60% of annual tuition less the KWD 200 deposit already paid); second installment due December 31 (remaining balance). - For Early Years (KG & Reception): two installments due 1 September and 1 December. - Books, VLE access, school portal fees, uniforms and bus fees (if used) must be paid at the start of the academic year. - Students are not permitted to begin classes unless required advance payment/first installment has been received. - Fees must be fully settled by December for Early Years and by March for the other departments.
Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable; the institution operates as a day school.
Other costs and one-off charges
- Books and course materials: charged at the start of the academic year (itemised separately from tuition). - VLE / School Portal access: charged at the start of the academic year. - Uniform: official school uniform must be purchased from the school uniform store; uniform charges payable at the start of the academic year. - School bus/transportation: bus enrolment is charged separately and parents must provide address/route details when applying; a seat reservation/deposit is required to secure bus enrolment (deposit timing follows the re‑registration schedule). - Examination and external assessment charges (IGCSE/A‑Level entries) and optional extracurricular activity fees may be billed in addition to tuition.
Refunds and withdrawal
- One term's notice in writing is required when withdrawing a pupil. If one term's notice is not given, the school is entitled to retain the term fees. - Paid term fees are not refundable for temporary absence, dismissal for non‑compliance with regulations, or if the pupil leaves without providing the required notice. - Pupil files and medical reports will not be released until outstanding tuition and any replacement/repair costs for books or materials are settled.
Fee payment arrangements and common payment methods
- All tuition and associated charges are administered by the school Accounts Department and must be paid in advance according to the published billing schedule. - Common payment channels used by schools in Kuwait include bank deposit / bank transfer (IBAN), K‑NET / local electronic payment gateways and in‑person card or cash payments; parents should use the Accounts Department to arrange the accepted method and obtain invoice details.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
KIES follows and delivers lessons based on the British National Curriculum. The curriculum is based on the British National Curriculum and adapted to fit the international environment and the requirements of individual examination boards. Teaching and learning of the national curriculum is enquiry-based, with a focus on problem solving and aims to build pupils' abilities as learners. Class sizes are arranged to provide greater personal attention, and all children are taught in mixed-ability classes. A range of activities deliver the Curriculum, including practical problem solving, online interactive learning and book-based learning, with textbooks being one of the resources used to deliver the curriculum. National Curriculum Plans for Primary and Secondary are provided and adapted to fit the requirements of different exam boards and the needs of learners.
Curriculum details
Kuwait National English School is a British International School delivering the British National Curriculum alongside Ministry of Education curricular requirements. In Years 7 to 9 (Key Stage 3) learners follow an extensive curriculum including English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Art & Design, Computer Science, French, Geography, History, PSHE, Sciences, Kuwait Social Studies (Ministry requirement), Arabic (Ministry requirement), Islamic Studies (Ministry requirement) and Qur'an (Ministry requirement). In Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) the content is based on Cambridge Assessment International Education, Edexcel and Pearson requirements, with a compulsory core and six option blocks leading to IGCSE examinations. Years 7-9 provide a broad foundation before Year 10 when students select options for further study, leading to IGCSEs. In Years 12 and 13 students study for AS and A Levels (UK international). The Languages Taught are English, Arabic, French and Spanish, and English is the language of instruction.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
EYFS 12:1; Primary 25:1; Secondary 15:1.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
First Term Examination results are released on 9 January 2025 and are available on the school portal for parents and students.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
University entrance preparation is provided.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Step 1. Prepare and submit documents for new enrollment. Documents required for New enrollment include two recent photographs; civil ID copies (both sides) of the student, mother and father; copies of the student's passport and the parents' passports; birth certificate; vaccination record; transfer certificate from the previous school; last school report; a clearance letter; and a medical file from the previous school. These documents must be brought to the interview. The entrance test fee is 25 KWD and the registration fee is 100 KWD, both payable as part of the enrollment process.
Step 2. Enter the entrance assessment and interviews. Students are tested before they enter the school; the registration test assesses the student's academic level and suitability for admission. A brief interview may be held with the parents if required, and the student may be interviewed by the school counsellor if needed.
Step 3. Admission decision. It is the Head of Department's decision whether a student is accepted. No student will be allowed admission unless they meet the entry requirements. Any serious discipline concerns are grounds for non-acceptance. The decision is final.
Step 4. Registration completion after passing the assessment. If the student has passed the assessment test, the paperwork and forms are submitted to the accounts department, and a 100 KD deposit is paid to complete the registration process. This deposit must be paid to complete registration. It is not possible to register a student without all the necessary paperwork, which must be brought into the school at the time of the interview.
Step 5. Age requirements. Minimum age on the first day of the new academic year is 3 years 6 months for Kindergarten and 16 years 6 months for Year 12. The age bands for intermediate years are: Reception 4 years 6 months; Year 1 5 years 6 months; Year 2 6 years 6 months; Year 3 7 years 6 months; Year 4 8 years 6 months; Year 5 9 years 6 months; Year 6 10 years 6 months; Year 7 11 years 6 months; Year 8 12 years 6 months; Year 9 13 years 6 months; Year 10 14 years 6 months; Year 11 15 years 6 months. These ages align with the year level applied for.
Step 6. Documents for Students from outside Kuwait. For Students from outside Kuwait, documents required include a complete registration form and two recent photographs. Civil IDs for the student, mother and father are required, or an entry visa if a Civil ID is not yet issued. A copy of residency/entry visa, birth certificate, vaccination record, and the last school report authenticated by the home country's Ministry of Education and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs are also required.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
Omar Al Gharabally Scholarship (Presently Under Review). The Omar Al Gharabally Scholarship is named in memory of Omar Al Gharabally and aims to help the most able students achieve their full potential under the best possible conditions.